Paver



Aug. 29, 1967 J. D. LAYTON PAVER 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed May 11; 1965 54 dd ck D. La flSh INVEN'IDR Aug. 29, 1967 J. D LAYTON 3,338,143

PAVER Filed May '11, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR United States Patent 3,338,143 PAVER Jack D. Layton, 4725 Turner Road, Salem, Oreg. 97302 Filed May 11, 1965, Ser. No. 454,905 6 Claims. (CI. 94-46) This invention relates to pavers, or spreaders as they sometimes are referred to, of the type that are most usually towed over the ground behind a dump truck and that operate to distribute and compact paving material or aggregate dumped from the truck.

A typical paver of this description includes a box or hopper for holding paving material that falls from the dump body of the truck, a discharge opening adjacent the bottom of the box for aggregate to flow through in leaving the box, and a screed or other compacting means that trails the hopper and levels and compacts the aggregate by moving over the same. With such a paver, the need arises at times for elevating the screed from the ground and for stopping the flow of aggregate from the hopper through the discharge opening described. For example, when a paving operation is stopped, and to permit the paver to be backed up over a freshly paved surface without its compacting means or screed disturbing the surface, it is desirable first that the screed be elevated whereby it is out of contact with the surface. If there is any aggregate remaining in the box, it is also necessary that the discharge opening first be closed to prevent such material from falling from the box and being distributed over the freshly paved surface. By way of further example, if it is desired to move the paver forwardly from one paving location to another, the screed or compacting means should be elevatable to prevent its riding on the ground and becoming worn.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved paver or spreader with novel means for positioning the paver whereby its screed or compacting means is elevated from the ground.

A related object is to provide such a paver which includes a gate for opening and closing a discharge opening, and improved'means for actuating the gate to close the opening.

Certain types of pavers include a box as described, and a screed trailing the box for compacting material which is adjustable to different angular positions relative to the back of the box. The pavers are supported adjacent their front ends by wheels or other means and the angular position that the screed has relative to the back of the box determines the thickness of the paving material spread. With such pavers the box and screed may swing up and down as a unit relative to the wheels or other means supporting the front end of the paver. A further object is to provide means for elevating a screed in such an organization, where such elevation is performed making use of the upward swingability which the box and screed have relative to the means sup orting the front of the paver.

One way of lifting a paver from the ground for the purposes of transporting the paver from one location to another has been proposed which comprises securing the dump body of the truck towing the paver, with the dump body in its dumping position. On lowering of the dump 'body to its usual horizontal position, the paver is caused to be picked bodily from the ground. This requires that a connection be established between the paver and the dump body of the dump truck, and the procedure is not workable with pavers of any great weight towed by small sized dump trucks. A paver frequently is attached to the dump truck towing it through the rims of rear wheel assemblies in the truck, and the rear overhang of the dump trucks body sometimes makes lifting of a paver by connecting it to the dump body impractical. A further object, therefore, is to provide means for lifting a paver, so as to lift its screed or other compacting means, which does not require a connection to the dump body, and is usable with towing vehicles of substantially any shape and description.

A still further object is to provide a paver which includes ground-traveling means for supporting the front thereof, and novel mechanism whereby this supporting means may be shifted longitudinally of the paver to effect lifting of its screed or other compacting means, and closing of its discharge opening.

An object related to the above is to provide a paver where such ground-traveling supporting means is shifted rearwardly to perform the functions indicated, with closing of the discharge opening for the box in the paver being performed prior to lifting of the screed or other compacting means. This, of course, is desirable, since if aggregate remains in the box, the discharge opening should be closed before the unit is elevated in any way.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of portions of a paver constructed according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a gate in the paver in a position closing the discharge opening of a box or hopper in the paver;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but showing the gate closing this discharge opening and with the paver shifted so that a screed therein is elevated from the ground; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views, slightly enlarged, taken along the lines 44 and 5-5 in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

Turning now to the drawings and first of all more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, a paver or spreader embodying the invention is indicated generally at 10. This paver includes a hopper or box 12 with rear, side, and front walls 18, 20, 22, for holding aggregate after the same falls from the dump body of a dump truck, and a screed or compacting means 14 mounted at 16 adja cent the rear of box 12. The screed slides over material discharged from the hopper to smooth and to compact the material. Means (not shown) is provided extending from the back of the hopper to the screed for adjusting the angle that the base of the screed defines relative to the rear wall of box 12 This adjustment is effective to change the thickness of the material spread by the paver, as it has been found that the base of the screed tends to assume a horizontal position on riding over the material being compacted, and with a change in the angular position of the screed, the elevation that the screed must have to be horizontal is changed.

For a description of a paver including a screed and hopper or box as described, reference is made to U.S. Patent 3,288,041, entitled Multiple Use Paver.

Extending along the lower margin of rear hopper wall 18 and joined to this wall is a gate stop 24. This gate stop and the lower margin 22a of front hopper wall 22 define an elongated opening 26 extending between opposite sides of the paver (or along the length of the box, the box having its longitudinal axis extending transversely of the paver). This opening constitutes a discharge opening for the paver through which paving material or aggregate flows prior to being spread. A gate 28 hinged at 30 to front wall 22 is included for the purpose of opening and closing discharge opening 26.

Adjacent each side of the paver, joined to the hopper front wall 22, and extending vertically downwardly from this wall, is a side plate such as that shown at 32 in FIGS. 1 through 3 and in FIG. 5. A pair of spaced angle pieces 34, 36 are joined as by welding to the inner side of each side plate, and seated between these angles pieces, adjacent each side of the paver, is one end of an elongated cross beam 38 which extends transversely of the paver between the side plates. The angle pieces inhibit lateral movement of the beam relative to the side plates. The side plates themselves inhibit longitudinal movement of the beam relative to the paver box, and up and down movement of each end of the beam relative to the paver box is prevented by pins 42, 44 extending between each set of angle pieces above and below beam 38, respectively. The two opposed side plates on either side of the paver, angle pieces 34, 36, and beam 38, together with pins 42, 44 make up what is referred to herein as a frame for the hopper used in mounting the hopper. Also part of this frame are a pair of opposed downwardly extending posts adjacent each side of the paver, such as posts 46, 48 having upper ends joined as by Welding to cross beam 38.

In operation of the paver, and when laying aggregate, the rear of the paver is supported for movement over the ground by the screed described, which slides over and compacts the paving material. The forward end of the paver, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, is supported, on each side of the paver, by two sets of tandem wheels, exemplified by tandem wheels 50, 52 and tandem wheels 54, 56 which support the side of the paver illustrated in the drawings.

Considering now in more detail the mounting of the tandem wheels, shown at 58 is an elongated box beam having a block 60 secured to the underside thereof adjacent its rear end. Intermediate the ends of the box beam axle structures 62, 64 project outwardly to either side of the beam having the forward wheels 50, 54 of the two tandem Wheel sets mounted thereon. The extreme forward end of the box beam mounts a generally rectangular grid of channel members designated at 66. The box beams, one being adjacent each side of the paver, make up collectively what is referred to herein as the main frame of the paver.

Telescopically received within each box beam is an element 68 which is extensible from the rear end of the beam. Each element has carried adjacent its rear end the rear wheels of the two tandem wheel sets, such as wheels 52, 56, through axle structures, such as those shown at 70, 72. Element 68, therefore, in the particular embodiment described, may be thought of as a member connected to a ground traveling support (the wheels 52, 56) extensible from the frame of the paver (the box beam).

The two posts 46, 48 earlier described, which extend down from the base of the hopper adjacent each side of the paver, are journaled on blocks 60 and thus the main frame of the paver at 74. In this manner the paver including its screed is enabled to rock or swing, with up and down movement afforded in the rear end of the paver and the screed there located.

Preferably, power-operated means such as a hydraulic ram is included for the purpose of producing extension of each element 68 from its encompassing box beam. Typifying such means is the ram shown at 76 which has its cylinder end journaled at 78 to a bracket 80 joined to the box beam, and its rod end connected at 82 to a bracket 84 which is joined to the extensible element. The ram is double acting, and extension and contraction therein is controlled by the usual hydraulic circuit.

The paver described is moved over the ground by means such as a pair of opposed draft arms represented by draft arm 90 in FIGS. 1 to 3. The draft arm is journaled in pieces 94, 96 for swinging movement about a transverse horizontal axis, and between these pieces a bump roll 93 is provided which is rotatably mounted on the outside of the draft arm. Each arm also includes a forwardly extending portion 100 mounting a roller 102 adapted to ride on the inside of a wheel rim in a rear wheel assembly of a dump truck. Roller 104, also rotatably mounted on this portion 100, engages and rides upon the outer side wall of the outer tire in such wheel assembly. Means (not shown) is provided for shifting draft arms of the type described laterally away from each other to accommodate the backing of a truck or other towing vehicle between the arms, and when the wheel assemblies are properly positioned (with the tires thereof against the bump rollers described), the arms may be brought together to produce a towing connection with the truck.

'Gate 28, earlier discussed, is linked to an extensible element 68 on either side of the paver by bars such as bar 106 pivoted to the gate at 108 and to the extensible element at 110. The bar is a compression-transmitting member, and pushes on the underside of the gate to swing it upwardly to a closed position on extension of the extensible elements from the box beams.

Explaining now the operation of the paver, with the paver spreading aggregate, the rear wheels in the various tandem wheel sets are positioned forwardly and the rams corresponding to ram 76 are contracted. Gate 28 depends downwardly and discharge opening 26 is fully open. This enables aggregate to fall from the hopper and to pile up behind screed 14 prior to being laid out as a pavement.

In the event that it is desired partially to close opening 26, or to close the opening completely, the rams on either side of the paver corresponding to ram 76 are extended, which has the effect of swinging the gate in a clockwise direction about its hinge in FIGS. 1 and 2. If the opening is to be fully closed, the gate is swung until it comes against gate stop 24 by extension of the rams to the position shown in FIG. 2.

If it is now desired to raise the screed, such is done by further extension of the rams. This further extension pushes extensible elements '68 further out of the box beams, and causes bars 106 to assume a near vertical position, as shown in FIG. 3. The-paver including its screed rocks about the transverse axis provided by journals 78. With the screed raised the wheels support the paver entirely, and it may be moved forwardly or backwardly without the screed disturbing any material that has just been freshly laid or rubbing on the ground.

It will be noted that the organization described is well suited for use with dump trucks or other vehicles having substantial rear overhang which might prevent the paver from being lifted bodily by attachment to the dump body of the truck. Note further that the construction permits the screed of the paver to be raised with mechanism which is actually part of the paver, eliminating the need to rely on mechanism forming part of the towing vehicle. The system is practical and easy to operate. Raising and lowering of the screed may be done rapidly, without having to make any connections with the vehicle drawing the paver. Raising and lowering of the screed can also "be done at a point remote from the rams discussed, by proper placement of the control valves in the hydraulic circuit supplying these rams.

As used herein, the term longitudinal as applied to the paver refers to a direction extending between forward and rear extremities of the paver (when moved in proper direction of travel), and the terms lateral or transverse refer to directions extending between the sides of the paver.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is not intended to be specifically limited to the structure disclosed, as it is desired to cover all modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art and that come within the scopeof the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A paver comprising a frame,

at least a pair of wheels, and mean mounting the wheels with one wheel behind the other wheel on the frame and with the Wheels supporting the frame for movement over the ground,

a hopper and screed assembly including a hopper for holding paving material, having a discharge opening on said hopper adjacent the base thereof, and a screed supported by and trailing said hopper adapted to level material flowing from said opening, said assembly further including a gate for opening and closing said discharge opening,

means pivotally mounting said hopper and screed assembly on said frame accommodating rocking movement of the assembly about an axis extending transversely of the paver with the assembly above and at least partially supported by said wheels,

the means mounting said wheels including a shiftable element for said one of said wheels which is shiftable rearwardly on the paver to move said one of said wheels rearwardly with respect to said other of said wheels,

power-transmitting means interposed between said element and said gate, operable first to cause said gate to move to a position closing said opening on rearward movement of said element, and then to rock said assembly in a direction producing lifting of said screed on further rearward movement of said element, and

draft means mounted on and projecting forwardly from said frame for towing the paver.

2. A paver for spreading paving material comprising a frame,

a hopper mounted on said frame for holding paving material, having a discharge opening adjacent the base thereof for distributing paving material,

a shutoff gate for. closing said discharge opening,

first and second ground-traveling support means supporting said frame and hopper for movement over the ground, said first ground-traveling support means being shiftable rearwardly on the paver and relatively to the second ground-traveling support means, power-operated means interposed between said frame and first ground-traveling support means for shifting the latter rearwardly on the paver, and

a connection :between said first ground-traveling support means and gate operable upon shifting of the support means to cause movement of said gate toward a position closing said discharge opening.

3. A paver for spreading paving material comprising a frame and means mounted on the frame for attaching the paver to a towing vehicle,

a hopper for holding and distributing paving material mounted on said frame for fore and aft rocking movement,

a screed mounted on and adjacent the rear of said hopper for leveling paving material, adapted to be elevated from the ground with rocking of said hopper in one direction on said frame,

first and second ground-traveling support means supporting said frame for movement over the ground and disposed in said paver forwardly of said screed, said first ground-traveling support means being shift- 5 able on the frame in a longitudinal direction, and

means operable upon shifting of said first groundtraveling support means to rock said hopper in said one direction whereby the screed is elevated from the ground.

4. The paver of claim 3, wherein the hopper has a discharge opening for the flow .of material from the hopper, and a gate for opening and closing the discharge opening, said means for rocking said hopper also moving said gate to close said discharge opening upon shifting of said first ground-traveling support means.

5. A paver for spreading paving material comprising a frame and means joined to the frame for attaching the paver to a towing vehicle,

a hopper and screed assembly mounted on said frame for rocking movement relative to the frame about an axis extending transversely of said paver, said assembly comprising a hopper for holding and discharging paving material, and a screed supported by and trailing the hopper for leveling material flowing from said hopper, and

wheel means comprising at least a pair of spaced support wheels, disposed forwardly of said screed assembly and with one of said wheels behind the other of said wheels, said wheel means supporting said frame for movement over the ground, said one wheel being shiftable rearwardly from said other wheel and there being means operatively interconnecting said one wheel and said assembly whereby on rearward shifting of said one wheel such produces rocking of said assembly with lifting of said screed from the ground.

6. A paver for holding paving material comprising a frame,

an assembly including a screed for leveling paving material movably mounted on said frame,

supporting means for supporting said frame, and the assembly mounted on said frame, for movement over the ground, said screed in said assembly trailing said supporting means and operating to level paving material,

said supporting means comprising a pair of spaced ground-traveling supports which one of said supports being behind the other of the said supports, said one support being shiftable rearwardly of said other support and there being means operatively interconnecting said one support and said assembly whereon on rearward shifting of said one support such produces lifting of the assembly and said screed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PAVER COMPRISING A FRAME, AT LEAST A PAIR OF WHEELS, AND MEANS MOUNTING THE WHEELS WITH ONE WHEEL BEHIND THE OTHER WHEEL ON THE FRAME AND WITH THE WHEELS SUPPORTING THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT OVER THE GROUND, A HOPPER AND SCREED ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A HOPPER FOR HOLDING PAVING MATERIAL, HAVING A DISCHARGE OPENING ON SAID HOPPER ADJACENT THE BASE THEREOF, AND A SCREED SUPPORTED BY AND TRAILING SAID HOPPER ADAPTED TO LEVEL MATERIAL FLOWING FROM SAID OPENING, SAID ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDING A GATE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID DISCHARGE OPENING, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID HOPPER AND SCREED ASSEMBLY ON SAID FRAME ACCOMMODATING ROCKING MOVEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE PAVER WITH THE ASSEMBLY ABOVE AND AT LEAST PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY SAID WHEELS, THE MEANS MOUNTING SAID WHEELS INCLUDING A SHIFTABLE ELEMENT FOR SAID ONE OF SAID WHEELS WHICH IS SHIFTABLE REARWARDLY ON THE PAVER TO MOVE SAID ONE OF SAID WHEELS REARWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID OTHER OF SAID WHEELS, POWER-TRANSMITTING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID ELEMENT AND SAID GATE, OPERABLE FIRST TO CAUSE SAID GATE TO MOVE TO A POSITION CLOSING SAID OPENING ON REARWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT, AND THEN TO ROCK SAID ASSEMBLY IN A DIRECTION PRODUCING LIFTING OF SAID SCREED ON FURTHER REARWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT, AND DRAFT MEANS MOUNTED ON AND PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM SAID FRAME FOR TOWING THE PAVER. 